Philips Hue Lighting - owners thread
Discussion
Lucas Ayde said:
Haven't dug into it too much but the new UI style looks like it's designed for kids. Not promising.
Then again, the last version of the app was a bit disappointing UI-wise compared to the one IT replaced, IIRC. Philips just seem to go backwards every time they make changes.
Agree they really don’t seem to ever move forward. After all these years and still no UK light switch. Makes the product range marginally useless. Then again, the last version of the app was a bit disappointing UI-wise compared to the one IT replaced, IIRC. Philips just seem to go backwards every time they make changes.
Arg, while I've no problems with the new app in itself, they've ruined the android widgets.
Was not that great before but you could create a 'shelf' of on-off toggles, think it was limited to 4. I had 3 rows. Rarely used them, so fortunately will not be missed. Now it's individual light/zone actions, so single buttons and you need two if you want to be able to use the widgets to turn a light both on and off .... Looks like it's been redesigned for large screen tablets being used as a single view home automation controllers, but makes it near useless on a mobile phone. Just a good job it's not something I used much despite setting it up - only catch is it was a quick and easy way to turn lights on when not in the house.
Was not that great before but you could create a 'shelf' of on-off toggles, think it was limited to 4. I had 3 rows. Rarely used them, so fortunately will not be missed. Now it's individual light/zone actions, so single buttons and you need two if you want to be able to use the widgets to turn a light both on and off .... Looks like it's been redesigned for large screen tablets being used as a single view home automation controllers, but makes it near useless on a mobile phone. Just a good job it's not something I used much despite setting it up - only catch is it was a quick and easy way to turn lights on when not in the house.
I've picked up a colour GU10 bulb to use as a fireplace light (not a real fireplace, it's an MDF construction on the wall with a GU10 fitting in it, the hue replaces a white bulb).
I've set it up with the hue labs candlelight formula, and the web page saved as a phone home screen icon to go to the page and turn it on/off. Is there a way of getting this formula or something else orange and flickery controllable in one step on the phone or with Alexa with something like "Alexa, turn on fireplace"? From what I can find Hue Labs is only a web page, not built in to the Hue app or Alexa app.
I just tried "Alexa turn off light. Alexa turn on light" and it turns on again as static orange which I set as the default colour.
I've set it up with the hue labs candlelight formula, and the web page saved as a phone home screen icon to go to the page and turn it on/off. Is there a way of getting this formula or something else orange and flickery controllable in one step on the phone or with Alexa with something like "Alexa, turn on fireplace"? From what I can find Hue Labs is only a web page, not built in to the Hue app or Alexa app.
I just tried "Alexa turn off light. Alexa turn on light" and it turns on again as static orange which I set as the default colour.
Edited by ajprice on Tuesday 22 June 22:17
Edited by ajprice on Wednesday 23 June 11:21
The Hue Essentials app (android) will allow you to use effects through the app - some are free, many must be bought in packs (firelight is free) however I'm not sure how you can link those to alexa - I do know they can be downloaded to your hub, so it is possible Alexa might see them there,
dapprman said:
The Hue Essentials app (android) will allow you to use effects through the app - some are free, many must be bought in packs (firelight is free) however I'm not sure how you can link those to alexa - I do know they can be downloaded to your hub, so it is possible Alexa might see them there,
Hue essentials can also program a Hue dimmer switch to activate the effect.JimbobVFR said:
dapprman said:
The Hue Essentials app (android) will allow you to use effects through the app - some are free, many must be bought in packs (firelight is free) however I'm not sure how you can link those to alexa - I do know they can be downloaded to your hub, so it is possible Alexa might see them there,
Hue essentials can also program a Hue dimmer switch to activate the effect.jollysoutherner said:
I'm using the Samotech SM309 to dim led kitchen lights and SM308 to control outside lights. Appears as a Hue device using ZigBee and connects to Hub no issue. Both require a neutral; for dimming I'm using a retractive grid switch (hold down to dim and release, momentary press for on/off).
If you could fit within ceiling rose you could do without neutral in switch.
Late coming back to this, do you get to see what the input switch is doing on the SM308 over zigbee, or is it purely a toggle the current state of the switch?If you could fit within ceiling rose you could do without neutral in switch.
Lidl have more smart lighting stuff in this Sunday. Their add only shows hub, kit, and some bulbs, but there could me more.
On the Lidl stuff, anyone have the 2m coloured LED strip? If so what's it like? I use the Lidl/Silverlink coloured G10s in my kitchen and was waiting to add one of the strips to match the colours and fill in a dark area of the ceiling (I previously had a fluorescent tube). I gave up and went for a Giderwel one in the Amazon Prime day - it had good reviews and works well, colours are very close to the LIdl G10s, however it is slow turning on and off - not really an issue, but can anyone confirm if the Sliverlink strip has the same issue ?
On the Lidl stuff, anyone have the 2m coloured LED strip? If so what's it like? I use the Lidl/Silverlink coloured G10s in my kitchen and was waiting to add one of the strips to match the colours and fill in a dark area of the ceiling (I previously had a fluorescent tube). I gave up and went for a Giderwel one in the Amazon Prime day - it had good reviews and works well, colours are very close to the LIdl G10s, however it is slow turning on and off - not really an issue, but can anyone confirm if the Sliverlink strip has the same issue ?
dapprman said:
Lidl have more smart lighting stuff in this Sunday. Their add only shows hub, kit, and some bulbs, but there could me more.
On the Lidl stuff, anyone have the 2m coloured LED strip? If so what's it like? I use the Lidl/Silverlink coloured G10s in my kitchen and was waiting to add one of the strips to match the colours and fill in a dark area of the ceiling (I previously had a fluorescent tube). I gave up and went for a Giderwel one in the Amazon Prime day - it had good reviews and works well, colours are very close to the LIdl G10s, however it is slow turning on and off - not really an issue, but can anyone confirm if the Sliverlink strip has the same issue ?
My Lidl LED strip has been fine, no issues. The bayonet bulb is disappointing when grind used for a colour, very dull, good to hear the GU10 is alright though.On the Lidl stuff, anyone have the 2m coloured LED strip? If so what's it like? I use the Lidl/Silverlink coloured G10s in my kitchen and was waiting to add one of the strips to match the colours and fill in a dark area of the ceiling (I previously had a fluorescent tube). I gave up and went for a Giderwel one in the Amazon Prime day - it had good reviews and works well, colours are very close to the LIdl G10s, however it is slow turning on and off - not really an issue, but can anyone confirm if the Sliverlink strip has the same issue ?
My Lidl colour strip is great. I have it set up with the Philips hub and controlled by Alexa, I use it along the back of the bed where it gives a nice purple glow. It is set to come on at a certain time and goes off with all the other bedroom lights with a voice command. If they have more for sale this weekend I will get another one.
Just been to my local Lidl (Watford) - note online they suggest some items may be missing, but I'm not so sure as there was more than they had listed. For bulbs there were warm G10 and screw mounts, plus some of the screw mount vintage look type. Key thing is if you're after plugs as they had these in stock once more - still £7.99 each.
option click said:
Can anyone recommend a recessed spotlight that'll take a Hue GU10 bulb?
Looking for something similar to the Hue Centura, but suitable for a Bathroom (and better quality, going by some of the Amazon reviews)
White and white ambience GU10s have always been standard GU10 size.Looking for something similar to the Hue Centura, but suitable for a Bathroom (and better quality, going by some of the Amazon reviews)
Colour GU10s it's only the older generation bulbs that were longer. The latest colour GU10 with Bluetooth is also the same standard GU10 size.
It does seem generally harder to find GU10 fittings as most seem to be integrated LEDs now but you shouldn't need anything specific for the latest Hue GU10s to fit.
Does anyone have the Hue TV sync system?
https://www.philips-hue.com/en-gb/explore-hue/prop...
As expected, this stuff is addictive haha.
The TV thing looks pretty cool on videos I've seen, but it's not cheap......anyone got it and can tell me it's a terrible idea or it's actually awesome?
https://www.philips-hue.com/en-gb/explore-hue/prop...
As expected, this stuff is addictive haha.
The TV thing looks pretty cool on videos I've seen, but it's not cheap......anyone got it and can tell me it's a terrible idea or it's actually awesome?
UTH said:
Does anyone have the Hue TV sync system?
https://www.philips-hue.com/en-gb/explore-hue/prop...
As expected, this stuff is addictive haha.
The TV thing looks pretty cool on videos I've seen, but it's not cheap......anyone got it and can tell me it's a terrible idea or it's actually awesome?
I’ve not hue sync, I think it’s great on the Phillips TVs but the sync has looked overpriced and it only works with us not 4K, and will only work with hdmi inputs to the tv, it won’t work if you view using the apps built into the tv.https://www.philips-hue.com/en-gb/explore-hue/prop...
As expected, this stuff is addictive haha.
The TV thing looks pretty cool on videos I've seen, but it's not cheap......anyone got it and can tell me it's a terrible idea or it's actually awesome?
Heartworm said:
I’ve not hue sync, I think it’s great on the Phillips TVs but the sync has looked overpriced and it only works with us not 4K, and will only work with hdmi inputs to the tv, it won’t work if you view using the apps built into the tv.
I have a Samsung TV....I assume it'll work with that as well? I imagine I'd just plug my Sky Q box into the sync box, and I'd use things like Prime, Netflix through the Sky box.....so they'll work, right?
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff